Apparatus for completing wells

ABSTRACT

985,122. Wells, &amp;c. G. A. THOMAS, J. R. HATCH, and D. CRAVEN. Sept. 21, 1962 [May 8, 1962], No. 36031/62. Heading E1F. An open ended sleeve 32 is expanded to contact a producing formation in a bore hole 15, cement is allowed to expand the sleeve further and to harden within, above and beneath the sleeve, and oil from the formation is allowed to penetrate the sleeve wall. A unit 17 comprising a tube 20 carrying the sleeve 32 is incorporated in a casing string 16. Rings 34, at the ends of the sleeve, comprising telescopically sliding copper tubes, are expanded by fluid-pressure, and a sleeve 26 is moved to cover a valve 51 and also telescopic port tubes 54. Cement injected down the string rises outside it passing through the sleeves 32 and extending tubes 54 (Fig. 4, not shown). In Fig. 10 the sleeve 32 is replaced by a rigid sleeve 73 with expansible end sections 71, 72. In a well having several producing formations, each having a unit 17, the sleeves 26 act as valves which control the flow from each formation. Specification 985,121 is referred to.

July Z7, 1965 G. A. THOMAS 3,196,949

APPARATUS FOR GOMPLETING WELLS GEORGE A. THOMAS BY Wwf A TTORNE Y July 27, 1965 G. A. THOMAS APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING WELLS 4 Sheets-Shea?, 2

Filed May 8, 1962 INVENTOR.

GEORGE A. THOMAS 4 sil ATTORNEY July 27, 1965 ca -A. THOMAS 3,196,949

APPARATUS FOR GOMPLETING wELLs Filed may e, 1962 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR.

GEORGE A. THOMAS Mwww.;

A TTORNE Y July 27 1955 G. A. THOMAS 3,196,949

APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING WELLS Filed May 8, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I ZY n GEORGE A. THOMAS BY www;

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,196,949 APPARATUS FR CMFLETING WELLS George A. Thomas, Abilene, Tex., assignor, by direct and rnesne assignments, of one-third to John R. Hatch, Big

Spring, Ten., and two-thirds to David Craven, Philadelphia, Fa.

Filed May 3, 1962, Ser. No. 193,107 8 Claims.. (Cl. 1166-100) This invention relates to apparatus for completing wells.

This application is an improvement upon my prior copending application Serial Number 172,019, filed Feb. 8, 1962, for Method of and Apparatus for Completing Oil Wells and the Like, and contains some subject matter in common therewith.

One of the objects of this invention is to simplify and render more economical the apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned prior copending application.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide apparatus for protecting one or more oil or gas producing zones in the bore hole of a well while casing is being cemented within the bore hole above and below the zone or zones, and to subsequently enable the oil or gas from said zone or zones to flow directly through the casing without the necessity for perforating the casing adjacent to the zone or zones.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the mentioned character which in one or more units thereof may form a direct and integral part of a casing string or tubing lowered into the bore hole of a well.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the mentioned character having readily adjustable valve means to allow the ilow of oil or gas from the producing formation directly into the casing string after completion of the cementing operation.

Another object is to provide novel and simplified means for expanding a flexible formation protecting sleeve into protective lcontact with the producing zone or formation.

Still another object is to provide a method whereby the cementing of the well casing may be carried out by flowing the cement directly through the expended formation protecting sleeve after the invention unit or units have been placed in the well bore hole.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIGURE 1 is a partly diagrammatic side elevation of apparatus employed in the method according to the invention and positioned within a well bore hole and connected in a casing string adjacent to several suspected producing zones or formations in the well,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section through one apparatus unit of the invention in a collapsed or inactive position in the bore hole,

FIGURE 3 is a similar view of the apparatus unit shown in FIGURE 2 when the same is initially expanded by fluid pressure introduced from the casing string,

FIGURE 4 is a further view similar to FIGURES 2 and 3 showing the apparatus unit of the invention fully eX- panded by cement during the subsequent cementing of the well in accordance with the method,

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, showing the upper portion of one apparatus unit according to the invention,

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the same on a reduced scale with parts omitted,

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 4,

CTI

lghi-Q Patented .Iuly 27, 1965 ice FIGURE 8 is a similar view taken on line 8 8 of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE l showing an apparatus unit of the invention according to a modification thereof and positioned within the bore hole of the well,

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section through the unit shown in FIGURE 9, and

FIGURE 1l is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken on line Ill-11 of FIGURE l0.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of the invention, attention is directed first to FIGURES 1 through 8, wherein the numeral 15 designates a well bore hole of any desired depth and being shown somewhat exaggerated in diameter relative to the invention apparatus for lthe purpose of clarity. As shown in FIGURE l, the bore hole 15 extends through several suspected oil producing formations or zones A, B and C. It should be understood that in accordance with the invention the particular well may contain only one or a plurality of producing formations and these formations may vary in their thickness and in their spacing within the well. While FIGURE 1 shows that the several formations A, B and C are all about the same thickness to accommodate substantially identical invention apparatus units, it will be understood that the apparatus units may vary in length to accommodate producing formations of various size or thickness. It should further be understood'that the term well as used herein applies to oil wells, gas wells, and water wells, including injection wells, and wells used in the recovery or disposal of fluids below the surface of the ground.

With continued reference to the drawings, the numeral 16 designates a casing string lowered into the bore hole 15 to the required depth adjacent to the several formations A, B and C, and rigidly and integrally connected in the string 16 are apparatus units 17, 18 and 19, employed in the practice of the method.

FIGURES 2 through 8 show in detail the invention unit which is typical of all of the units, and the unit 17 comprises a rigid cylindrical tube body portion 20, which in effect forms an integral part or section of the casing string 16 and is connected therein by screw-threads 21 and 22 at its upper and lower ends. Near and below its upper end, the tube 20 has an internal annular shoulder 23 formed therein for a purpose to be described. A second internal shoulder 24 is formed near and above the lower end of the tube 20 by the adjacent lower section 25 of casing string 16.

An open ended cylindrical tubular sleeve Valve element 26 is slidably mounted within the bore of the tube 20 between the shoulders 23 and 24 and the sleeve valve element is provided near its opposite ends and intermediate such ends with external annular O-ring seals 27 having sliding snug fluid tight engagement with the bore of the tube 20 but allowing movement of the sleeve valve element 26 therein under inuence of suitable actuating tools not shown herein.

The movement of the sleeve valve element 26 within the tube 20 is guided and limited by a bayonet slot 28 formed therethrough near the top thereof and receiving a key or plug 29, rigid with the tube 20 and projecting radially inwardly thereof and into the bayonet slot, FIGURE 8. The sleeve valve element 26 has a radial outlet port 30 near and spaced circumferentially of the slot 28 and axially spaced groups of radial inlet ports 31 intermediate its ends and spaced from each other and from the port 30, as shown. The ports 31 of each group are equidistantly spaced circumferentially as shown in FIGURE 7.

Surrounding the rigid tube Z0 concentrically and eX- tending for almost the full length of the latter is a flexible rubber-like open ended formation protector or packing alessia sleeve 32, adapted to normally lie collapsed around the tube 20 in relatively snug fitting relation thereto, FIG- URE 2, but also capable `of being expanded away from the tube 20 in a manner to be described, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The flexible rubber-like protector sleeve 32 is provided at its ends with molded annular tubular beads 33, integral therewith and being stretchable radially and circumferentially. Within each tubular bead 33 is a circumferentially expansible tubular ring unit 34 formed of soft copper tubing or the like and including an exterior tube section 35 and an interior tube section 36 telescopically slidably mounted therein. A tubular lltting 37 is connected in each ring unit 34, FIGURE 6, and has one end 38 thereof rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the interior tube section 36, and this end of the tube 36 is closed or plugged. The other end 39 of the fitting 37 is rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the exterior tube 35 and in open communication with the bore thereof. The free end 40 of the interior tube 36 is closed or plugged to serve as a piston within the bore of tube section 35.

Each expansible ring unit 34 is supported relative to the rigid tube 20 by a plurality of umbrella-type arms 41, which may be substantially rigid but possessing a limited degree of springiness. The arms 41 of each unit 34 may be three in number and spaced 90 degrees apart circumferentially as shown. Corresponding ends of the arms 41 are pivoted at 42 to an anchor ring 43, surrounding the rigid tube 20 and engaging a fixed collar 44 thereon and rigidly secured thereto. The other ends of the arms 41 carry eyes 45 which receive therethrough the exterior and interior tube sections 35 and 36 of the expansible metallic ring unit 34. The umbrella-like arms 41 serve at all times to hold the adjacent end of the flexible sleeve 32 extended or supported axially upon the tube 20 so that the ends of the flexible sleeve will not tend to collapse axially.

Each tubular tting 37 is connected internally with a flexible tube or hose 46 which extends longitudinally along the rigid tube 20 close to the outside thereof as shown in FIGURES 2 through 4. Each hose 46 has its other end 47 connected in a check valve housing 48, FIGURE 8, having an interior chamber 49 and a tapered seat 50 for a ball check valve element 51 contained therein and held normally seated or closed by a compressible spring 42. The chamber 49 communicates with the interior of the sleeve valve element 26 through the outlet port 30 thereof, FIGURES 3 and 8, when the sleeve valve element is positioned by suitable means not shown to bring the port 30 into registration with the inlet port 53 of the check valve. The arms 41 thus serve to support the protector sleeve 32 upon and in relation to the rigid tube 20. It will be seen that the sleeve 32 may have its opposite ends expanded into sealing engagement with the bore hole 15, FIGURE 3, by the admission of iluid under pressure from the casing string 16, through the outlet port 30 and into the chamber 49 of check valve housing 48, and then into the hoses 46 which lead to the expansible ring units 34.

' The flexible protector sleeve 32 is further interconnected with the rigid tube 2i) at local points by means of a plurality of telescoping port tubes 54, corresponding in number and spacing to the inlet ports 31 of sleeve valve element 26. Each port tube 54 embodies an exterior rigid tube section 55, rigidly anchored within an opening 56 of the tube 20, FIGURE 7. It also includes an inner radially shiftable tube section 57, telescopically slidably mounted within the tube section 55 and sealed therein by an O-ring seal 58. The outer end of each tube section 57 is clamped by a nut 59 within an opening 60 of the flexible formation protector sleeve 32. Outward radial movement of each port tube section 57 is limited by a flange or shoulder 61 on the port tube section 55, for abutting engagement with an enlarged head 62 of the inner port tube section 57, see FIGURE 7. Each telescopic port tube 54 has its outer end in direct communication with the well bore hole 15, exteriorly of the sleeve 32, and the inner end of each port tube 54 is adapted to communicate with one of the inlet ports 31 of sleeve valve element 26 when the latter is positioned as in FIG- URE 4. The telescoping port tubes 54 serve also to support the flexible protector sleeve 32 upon the rigid tube 20 and to permit radial expansion of the sleeve 32 toward the wall of the bore hole as depicted progressively in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4.

In the practice of the method by means of the described apparatus units 17, 18 and 19, the casing string 16 is lowered into the bore hole 15 in the usual manner and with the invention units connected therein as described after the suspected producing zones A, B and C have been located by detection means well known in the art. The sleeves 32 are initially in the collapsed condition relatively close to the rigid tube 20 as shown in FIGURE 2 and tend to maintain this condition due to their inherent resiliency. `The end beads 33 may snugly engage the tube 2l) near its upper and lower ends, FIGURE 2.

When the invention units or a single such unit are known to be positioned adjacent the zones A, B and C, the lowering of the casing string ceases and the bottom of the casing string may be plugged by conventional means or closed oil in any preferred manner, forming no direct part of the present method. At this time, each sleeve valve element 26 is moved from its initial position shown in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 3. In FIG- URE 2, th port 30 is out of registration with the check valve housing 43 and the inlet port 53 of the latter is closed. Likewise in FIGURE 2, the ports 31 are out of registration with the port tubes 54 and the inner ends of the latter are closed by the sleeve valve element. Such is the condition of each invention apparatus unit while the same is being lowered into the bore hole 15.

When the sleeve valve element 26 is shifted downwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 3, the outlet port 3l) is brought into registration with the port 53 of check valve housing 48. The bottom end of the casing string now being closed, as stated, iluid pressure is allowed to build up inside of the casing string, until the spring 52 yields and the ball check valve 51 is unseated, FIGURE 8. When this occurs, fluid under pressure instantly rushes through the hoses 46 and into the bore of tube section 35 lof each expansible ring unit 34. This fluid pressure causes immediate circumferential and radial expansion of the ring units 34, and the ends of the flexible sleeve 32 are forced outwardly into sealing contact with the bore hole 15, as shown in FIGURE 3. Once expanded, the ring units 34 remain expanded and remain in the well bore, and there is never any necessity for collapsing or reexpanding these end ring units.

After the ends of the formation protecting sleeve 32 have been expanded in the manner described, the sleeve valve element 26 may be moved downwardly slightly or upwardly from its position shown in FIGURE 3 to close the port 53 of check valve housing 48, thus allowing the ball check valve element 51 to become seated. The iluid pressure is then trapped in the expansible ring units 34 and the ends of the sleeve 32 will remain expanded and in contact with the bore hole wall 15. At this time, the ports 31 are still out of registration with the port tubes 54 and the latter are covered by the sleeve valve element.

The lower end of the casing string may now be opened in a conventional manner forming no direct part of the method and a liquid slurry of cement may be passed down through the casing string 16 and then upwardly through the bore hole 15 externally of the casing string to cement the latter within the bore hole. The cement passing upwardly through the bore hole flows directly through the llexible sleeves 32 and between the latter and the rigid tubes 20. The fluid pressure of the column of cement acting upon the inside of each sleeve 32 completes the radial expansion of the same, FIGURE 4, so that the entire cylindrical sleeve 32 is forced outwardly into protective sealing Contact with the bore hole wall along the entire length of each sleeve 32. The telescopic port tubes 54 become radially extended under the pressure of the cement, FIG- URE 4, until the heads 62 engage the stop llanges 61, FIGURE 7. Cavities or recesses 63 are formed in each flexible sleeve 32 adjacent the outer end of each telescopic port tube 54 due to the natural flexing of the sleeve 32 at its points of attachment to the port tubes 54, the latter having limited outward radial movement. The oil from the adjacent formations A, B and C may enter the cavities 63 and then pass through the port tubes 54 to the casing string as will be further described.

The cement 64 is allowed to set within the bore hole above and below each invention unit 17, 18 and 19 and within the expanded tiexible sleeve 32 of each such unit. After setting or hardening of the cement, the ilexible sleeves 32 remain permanently in protective contact with the producing formations A, B and C and the latter are always protected from contact with the cemen-t and do not have their porosity changed or interfered with in the slightest by the cementing process. There is not necessity for perforating the casing string, the cement, the sleeves 32 or the producing formations because the latter are fully protected and in direct communication with the port ltubes 54, as stated.

After hardening of the cement, the sleeve valve element 26 of each invention unit or of a selected unit or units may be shifted downwardly to the full limit :of its movement as shown in FIGURE 4, wherein the key 29 is at the top of the slot 28 and the ports 31 are in registry with the bores of the port tubes 54. The oil or gas from the formations A, B and C may then llovv directly through the port tubes 54 land registering ports 31, into the bore of the sleeve valve elements 26 and in-to the casing string 16 to pass upwardly therethrough. An important feature of the invention in this respect resides in the fact that the invention units 17, 1S and 19 may be selectively operated to furnish the best possible production of oil in the most economical manner. Should salt water or the like be encountered at any one of the formations A, `B, or C, the sleeve valve element 26 adjacent to such formation can be immediately closed while the other formations remain in open communication with the casing string.

Thus the invention includes a novel and simplified method of protect-ing the producing formations, cementing the casing string in the bore hole and selectively producing oilor the like from the formations without the necessity of perforation by explosive means. There is substantially no possibility of the moving elements of the apparatus becoming clogged or blocked because these elements are all sealed and protected in their assembled relation. The expansion of the flexible sleeves 32 and the extension of the port tubes S4 takes place only once during the well completion process `and when the parts achieve their positions shown in FIGURES 4 and 7, they remain so positioned permanently and need not move thereafter.

"FIGURES 9-11 of the drawings show a modification of the invention apparatus unit, although the method remains unchanged. FIGURE 9 shows a fragment of a well bore hole 65 containing a casing string 66 having one modified invention unit 67 connected therein exactly the manner described in connection with the first form of the invention, it beig uderstood in connection with FIG- URE 9 that additional invention units and additional spaced oil producing form-ations may be present in the ell. In FIGURE 9, only a single producing formation D has been .shown for purposes of illustration.

The apparatus invention unit 67, FIGURE 10, includes a rigid tube 68 identical to the tube 20 and connected directly in the tubular string 16. The tube 68 contains a movable sleeve valve element 69 which is identical in construction and `operation to the previously-described element 26 and need not therefore be described `again in detail. The unit 67 also includes a check valve device 70 which is identical in construction and operation to the device 4851, FIGURE 8, previously described.

Instead of the continuous or one-piece llexible sleeve 32 previously described, the modified apparatus unit 67 embodies a two-piece sectional expandable sleeve 71 'and 72 formed of rubber-like material. Intermediate the flexible sections 71 and '72, a rigid sleeve 73 surrounds the rigid tube 63 in spaced concentric relation thereto. The inner terminal ends 74 of exible sleeve sections 71 and '72 are tightly bound to the opposite end portions of the rigid sleeve 73 by metal lbands 75 or the like, thus forming a fluid tight joint at each point of attachment of the flexible sleeve sections to the intermediate rigid sleeve 73. The outer ends of the flexible sleeve sections 71 and 72 have the identical construction of the ends of the previously-described sleeve 32, including the expansible ring units 34, umbrella arms 41, st-retchable beads 33 land associated elements. The ring units 34 are connected to the check valve device 70 by hoses 76 and 77 in exactly the same manner and for the identical purpose des-cribed in the prior embodiment of the invention, and these elements and their mode of operation require no further description herein.

Instead of the telescopic port tubes 54 previously described, the unit 67 embodies a corresponding number lof correspondingly spaced radial one-piece port tubes 78, having their ends rigidly anchored in a fluid tight manner within openings of the tube 68 an-d rigid sleeve 73. As in the prior form of the invention, the port tubes 78 are adapted to register with the ports 31 of sleeve valve element 69. The mode of operation in thi-s respect is identical to that previously described for the rst embodiment of the invention. In like manner, the port 30 of sleeve valve 69 is adapted to register with the inlet port of the check valve device 70 during the process, as previously described. All other parts and their mode of loperation are identical to the corresponding parts previously described in connection With FIGURES 1 through 8.

In the practice of the method by means of the apparatus unit 67, there is substantially no change from the mode of operation in connection with FIGURES 1 through 8. The invention unit 67 is positioned in the bore hole 65 along with the casing string 66 until the invention unit is adjacent the formation D. The bottom of the casing string is plugged and the sleeve valve 69 is shifted upwardly until the port 30 registers with the check valve device 70. The casing string is pressurized with fluid and the ends of the sleeve sections 71 and 72 are expanded into contact with the bore hole in the exact manner previously described. The sleeve Valve 69 is then moved into covering relation with the check valve device 70. The well cementing operation is then carried out in the previously-described manner and the cement 79 ows directly through the sleeve sections 71 and 72 and through the intermediate rigid sleeve 73 and completes the expansion of the ilexible sleeve sections 71 and 72 into protective contact with the bore hole at the formation D. The rigid sleeve 73 does not expand. A relatively large annular space is thus provided surrounding the sleeve 73 and placing the bores of port tubes 78 in open communication therewith. When the cement 79 hardens, the sleeve Valve 69 is moved downwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 10, and the oil from the formation D passes into the space 80 and through the bores of port tubes 78 and through the ports 31 into the casing string 66 for removal upwardly.

The construction of the unit 67 eliminates the necessity for the telescoping port tubes 54 and also provides a larger cavity or space surrounding the outer ends of the several one-piece port tubes 78. The construction of the unit 67, however, requires the splicing or joining of the two exible sleeve sections 71 and 72 with the rigid sleeve 73, and this joining is not necessary with the one-piece flexible sleeve 32 in the rst form of the invention.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, as well as changes in the order or sequence of method steps, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in completing wells comprising a tube adapted to form an integral section of a casing string, a unitary open ended flexible sleeve surrounding said tube, pivotal arm means interconnecting the ends of the llexible sleeve and said tube, Huid pressure operated expansion ring units on the ends of said sleeve to expand such ends into contact with the bore hole of the well adjacent a producing formation of the well, pressure responsive valve means communicating with the interior of said tube and connected with the expansion ring units to control the passage of iuid under pressure thereto, radial port tubes interconnecting the side wall of said sleeve and said tube and opening through said sleeve and tube, and a movable closure element for said valve means and port tubes within said tube and operable to selectively cover or uncover the valve means and port tubes.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, and wherein said port tubes are telescopic and extensible and adapted to become extended radially with the side wall of the sleeve when the latter is expanded due to passage of cement therethrough.

3. The invention as defined by claim 1, and wherein the movable closure element is a tubular valve element having spaced ports for registration with said valve means and port tubes, imperforate areas of the valve element adapted to cover said valve means and port tubes in one adjusted position of the tubular valve element.

4. Apparatus for completing wells comprising a rigid tube adapted for connection in a casing string, a substantially rigid sleeve section surrounding said tube in spaced generally concentric relation intermediate the ends of the tube, radial port tubes interconnecting said tube and sleeve section and supporting thelatter and opening through the sleeve section and opening into said tube, a movable ported sleeve valve within said tube adapted to have spaced ports thereof moved into registration with said port tubes, ilexible sleeve sections surrounding opposite end portions of said tube and having corresponding ends attached to said rigid sleeve section to form therewith a unitary annular passage surrounding said tube, and iluid pressure operated means connected with the other corresponding ends of the exible sleeve sections to expand the same circumferentially into contact with the well bore hole wall so 8 that cement may low through the iiexible and rigid sleeve sections to cement the casing string above and below the apparatus.

5. The invention as dened by claim 4, and wherein said luid pressure operated means comprises telescopic expansion ring units on said other corresponding ends of the lexible sleeve sections, and pressure responsive valve means connected with said ring units and communicating with the interior of said tube.

6. Well completion apparatus comprising a tube section adapted to be connected in a casing string, an open ended flexible formation protecting sleeve surrounding said tube section and being normally collapsed to lie close to the tube section, pivoted umbrella-type arms interconnecting the opposite ends of said sleeve and tube section and swingable to permit expansion of the ends of the sleeve, uid pressure operated expansion ring units on the ends of said sleeve, a check valve unit on said tube section adapted to open under influence of uid pressure in the tube section, hoses interconnecting the check valve unit with said expansion ring units to convey fluid under pressure to the latter so that the ring units may expand the ends of the sleeve into sealing contact with the bore hole, and movable valve means on said tube section adapted to cover and uncover the cl eck valve unit and also adapted to place the interior of the tube section in communication with the bore hole through said sleeve and between the ends ofthe sleeve.

7. The invention as deiined by claim 6, and wherein said expansion ring units comprise telescopically engaged soft metal tubing molded within and substantially enclosed by tubular stretchabie end beads on said sleeve.

8. The invention as defined by claim 6, and telescoping radially extensible port tubes interconnecting and opening through the walls of said tube section and sleeve and adapted to be covered by the movable valve means, said movable valve means having ports for registry with the port tubes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,944,442 l/34 Manning 166-187 X 2,029,380 2/36 Manning 166-187 X 2,344,120 3/44 Baker 166-202 X 2,707,997 5/55 Zandmer et al. 166-46 2,765,854 10/56 Lewis 166-187 3,001,585l 9/61 Shiplet 166--142 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR USE IN COMPLETING WELLS COMPRISING A TUBE ADAPTED TO FORM AN INTEGRAL SECTION OF A CASING STRING, A UNITARY OPEN ENDED FLEXIBLE SLEEVE SURROUNDING SAID TUBE, PIVOTAL ARM MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE ENDS OF THE FLEXIBLE SLEEVE AND SAID TUBE, FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED EXPANSION RING UNITS ON THE ENDS OF SAID SLEEVE TO EXPAND SUCH ENDS INTO CONTACT WITH THE BORE HOLE OF THE WELL ADJACENT A PRODUCING FORMATION OF THE WELL, PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID TUBE AND CONNECTED WITH THE EXPANSION RING UNITS TO CONTROL THE PASSAGES OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE THERETO, RADIAL PORT TUBES INTERCONNECTING THE SIDE WALL OF SAID SLEEVE AND SAID TUBE AND OPENING THROUGH SAID SLEEVE AND TUBE, AND A MOVABLE CLOSURE ELEMENT FOR SAID VALVE MEANS AND PORT TUBES WITHIN SAID TUBE AND OPERABLE TO SELECTIVELY COVER OR UNCOVER THE VALVE MEANS AND PORT TUBES. 